Underground Legends: The Hunt (BWWM)

Chapter 2 - Abella

Abella Sterling (Female P.O.V)

September 21, 2074 

"I can't believe it!" Cristina Turner, my assistant, bellowed as she barged into my apartment, juggling her cellphone, a pizza box, and a bottle of merlot. Evening out her load, she headed across the hardwood floor into the kitchen with her heels click-clacking every step. A rosy hue stained her lightly tanned cheeks. It perfectly matched the shade of the dress encompassing her model thin frame. I couldn't tell if it was from exertion or anger, but it could have been a mixture of both. "I can't believe that asshole killed you."

I started to reprimand her for entering without knocking but gave up. It was a losing battle. After four years of knowing each other, she hadn't gotten the message, and I doubted it would happen today. It was one habit she refused to break even though it annoyed me to no end. Yet I could overlook the fault, given she was a godsend as an assistant and an even better friend.

"If I ever find out who he is, I swear I'll kill him." She went on, plopping her load down on the kitchen island.

Get in line, honey. Get in...

I inhaled deeply. The cheesy aroma in the air vanished my thoughts and made my mouth water in anticipation of sinking my teeth into a slice. When my stomach audibly grumbled, I was up on my feet and into the kitchen in a flash.

"Were you watching the live stream while picking up our pizza?" I asked, grabbing two plates and wine glasses from my dish rack.

"Yes! I wanted to see you win." She beamed, pulling the cork from the bottle with a resounding pop. Her smile fell as she filled our glasses while side-eyeing me. "Why aren't you as upset as me?"

"I'm ju-"

Suddenly her eyes went wide, and she set down the bottle. "Did you break your headset?!" She paused shortly before tacking on, "Again?"

"No, I didn't. And I'm not upset because... I'm too hungry." I lamely replied, lifting the box lid and grabbed a slice of the gooey cheese pizza. "Besides, I still finished in third place."

"Well, it would have been second if it wasn't for him." She grumbled, swirling her wine glass before taking a sip.

"Forget about him," I said in between bites. "Just be grateful I'm still eligible to compete to win fifty million dollars."

Her mouth fell open in shock, and a few drops of wine trickled down her chin. "Is that the prize amount this year?"

"Yes." I slipped the stack of napkins from underneath the box and set them in front of her. "They increased the amount for the fifth anniversary."

The usual amount, ten million dollars, wasn't exactly chump change, but the newer one overshadowed it.

She blindly reached for one while her eyes remained on me. "Really?" She asked, finally wiping away the drops.

I nodded.

For the longest time, she went utterly silent while tapping one manicured fingernail against the base of the glass. "Well, we need to be strategic about this and devise a way to increase your chances of winning."

"How are we going to do that?"

"First, tell me, who is your biggest competition?"

"Uh..." My mind went blank, struggling to recall the majority of the names. There were only three I was most familiar with because of past competitions and previous encounters in regular game mode. ExterminatorX, REAPER, and RoniReigns. Their impressive stats and wins achieved them notoriety throughout the gaming world. Yet only two of them displayed constant skills that rivaled mine. 

"Probably ExterminatorX and REAPER." I finally replied.

She hummed as she kicked off her heels and perched on the stool. Even without them, she still towered over me by three inches.

At 5'6, I wasn't exactly short, just slightly above average, but my ex always made me feel like a giantess, especially if I wore heels since he was an inch shorter than me. Fortunately, he and Cristina never met, or he would probably call her worse.

Seeing the calculating gleam in her eyes made me focus back on the conversation.

"Why?" I asked.

She leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially. "I can scrounge up some old footage of their previous games. The competition won't begin until next week. And that's enough time to study them and learn their habits before the first round begins."

"I'll think about it, Cris." I dryly replied. Honestly, I thought her plan would be sinister based on her actions. What she suggested wasn't a cause for disqualification, and anyone could do it if they had the time.

"Fine, but think fast." She ordered, flicking her honey blonde locks off her shoulder. "All I'm saying is the fans want to see you win, especially if you're still thinking about quitting."

I sighed deeply, dropping the half-eaten slice onto the plate. "I know."

My fans were a loyal bunch. And if you dared slander me, they became vicious as hell. I didn't deserve them. They stuck with me after loss after loss. Every time I got close, so close. Yet I failed to stand on the winner's podium. I vowed this time would be different. If it was my last, the least I could do was go out with a blast.

"Unless... You have changed your mind. Then there's no rush." A glimmer of hope shone in her forest-green eyes. This wasn't the first time we had had this conversation, and I doubted it would be the last.

I nibbled on the corner of my lip, afraid to voice the words aloud. My decision would also affect her since her salary came from a percentage of my earnings.

"I haven't changed my mind." I softly admitted.

As much as I loved gaming, it was never supposed to be a lifelong career. Most people would call me crazy for quitting a job that made over six figures. Hell, they would gladly take my place. However, they didn't know I only recently saw any of that money.

Before the Underground Legends created The Hunt five years ago, my career as pro-gamer was non-existent. I was merely playing because I loved the game. Yet it soon became an escape from my daily life. Spending hours upon hours lost in a virtual world eased a little bit of my pain and suffering even though I knew my problems still awaited me outside of it.

The Hunt had been a blessing in disguise in my time of need. A white light when everything in my world seemed shrouded by darkness. It would always hold a special place in my heart, but it wasn't my dream. I know it was cliche, but it was true. I wanted to return to school to finish obtaining my nursing degree. That had been my dream before...

I deeply exhaled and lightly shook my head, expelling the bad memories.

Cris patted my hand, knowing my reasons but not forcing me to speak them aloud.

"Okay, but you better win." She half-jokingly said, trying to lighten the mood.

I chuckled, picking up my now lukewarm pizza and biting into it.

"After we finish eating, you need to teach me how to play this game because I'm going to need to learn to supplement my lost wages."

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Thank you!❤

6-11-22